
Catherine Smith
Go Abroad China Ltd.
AlumniI have always been fascinated by different cultures, and China’s rich history and language intrigued me.
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LTL Language School
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LTL Language School is a perfect fit for students looking to improve their Mandarin quickly. Our comprehensive Chinese programs allow students maximum flexibility. You can study at LTL for a week up to a full year. We offer Mandarin language lessons in 10 cities across Asia, including Beijing, Shan
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Experience China while building your Mandarin skills through immersive university language programs designed for international students. Available for one semester or a full academic year, these programs offer a supportive pathway for learners at every stage. Through structured classes covering sp
See All 2 ProgramsLingoinn Teacher Homestay
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Learn Mandarin in China and Taiwan through an immersive learning experience combining personalised one-to-one lessons, a homestay with a Chinese teacher, authentic cultural exchange, and local experiences. By living with your Lingoinn teacher and their family, you’ll go beyond the classroom and pra
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Teaching English in China offers a unique and rewarding experience, bridging cultures and fostering language proficiency in a vibrant and diverse nation. Use the coupon code GoAbroad15 upon checkout to receive 15% off any course. Take advantage of our Super Sale! Choose from a selection of accredi
Xi’an is a good base for looking at China’s Western region policies and challenges and the increasing economic and political links with Eurasia. The magnificent Shaanxi History Museum as well as the amazing Terracotta Warriors Museum can play important roles in a study-abroad program in Xi’an.
Popular Subjects to Study. Students can choose to take courses in Xi’an in everything from business to liberal arts. The city’s long history — including as the capital in the Tang Dynasty (a period of high culture in 618-907 AD) — makes studying Mandarin, Chinese history, and Chinese culture great subjects for interacting with the city’s resources. Most of the programs are immersive and experiential, so you’ll have several opportunities to visit companies and landmarks.
Short Term vs. Summer vs. Long Term Programs. You can choose to study in Xi’an as short as a spring break and May term and as long as a full academic year — which is ideal for those who want to learn to speak Chinese. Many programs are also offered in the fall (best time to visit Cuihua Mountain) or spring (visit Mount Huashan for amazing views). U.S.-based universities often arrange their own faculty-led study-abroad programs in Xi’an for the summer, or (less commonly) the winter sessions.
Attending Universities vs. Other Program Types. Programs for international students can be found either directly through their own university or specially enhanced by third-party providers. Some students might choose to directly enroll in Xi’an Jiaotong University or one of its many other higher education institutions. Talk to your university study abroad advisor to help you determine your goals and credit needs before choosing a study abroad Xi’an program that will be the right fit for you.
The Xi’an urban area has 8.5 million residents and is one of the few complete city walls left in a major Chinese city — in fact, it’s possible to cycle right around the top of the wall. The inner city is busy and relatively compact with many bus routes and the first stage of the new metro system in operation. Modern Xi’an has a newly refurbished international airport and, apart from agriculture and tourism as its major industries, its location at the start of the Silk Road in China has helped it to develop as a hi-tech and aeronautic center.
Although entrance to several major museums is free, it’s recommended to see more than just Xi’an. Students can travel farther West into the heavily agricultural-based Gansu Province, explore the Hexi Corridor, head South to Chengdu and the famous Panda Reserve in Sichuan Province, or head east to Beijing to compare historic capitals. Overnight sleeper trains provide good value. It’s always advisable to check if such travel opportunities are included in your Xi’an study-abroad program.
As it is a provincial capital, Xi’an has lower costs of living than do the Eastern municipalities of Beijing and Shanghai. This is reflected in restaurant prices, taxi fares, and hotel costs. Taxis can be a bit of a hassle at first, but they’re the best way to get to where you need to go in the fastest amount of time. The pace of life will seem a little slower than in the China megacities, and there is a limited late-night life.
Food in and around university campuses is inexpensive, and local students often dine from perfectly acceptable street food carts and stalls. You won’t want to skip out on eating jianbing guozi (fried cake) at one of the street vendors for a delicious breakfast! Not to mention trying biangbiang noodles, baijiu ancient liquor, and handmade mooncakes. There are street markets, supermarkets, and famous cuisine such as the Xi’an-style hotpot and “dumpling banquets” — some of the latter are aimed at tourists with a bigger budget.
From marveling at the fountain show at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to exploring the temple at Mount Li, the ancient historical vibes of China will give you goosebumps and send shivers of delight down your spine. Whether you’re cooling off with lianpi cold rice noodles or snapping pics of snow-covered architecture, you’ll never run out of things to do and see in Xi’an no matter what time of year you visit. Studying in Xi’an is an excellent opportunity to pick up skills in speaking Mandarin, trying out calligraphy, and learning about ancient architecture.
Hear what past participants have to say about their experiences
Was here for 3 Weeks in Beijing studying Chinese for 20h per week. It was pretty cool and hlped me a lot when speaking. I like the focus on the actually spoken everyday chinese than on textbook chinese nobody really uses. The only think i could complain about is maybe the price cause it is a bit costly, and additionally the actual teachers as well as the homestay providers get only a small share from what we pay for it. But besides that i think its very cool and memorible experience. The events are also really cool and it is easy to make friends here. I highly recommend! Also 王老师 (summer) did a very good job

Love to hear it Pascal :) Delighted Summer did a great job and you enjoyed the time with us. Hope to see you again some day. LTL Team
I had such a wonderful experience studying at LTL Shanghai! From the very beginning, the staff were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Before I even arrived, they took the time to help me figure out my goals, find the right class level, and choose a homestay family that would be a good fit for me. I felt supported throughout the entire process, and during my time there I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and make friendships that made the experience even more memorable. I especially want to recognize my teacher, Winnie, who made an enormous difference in my experience. She helped me become so much more confident in speaking and using Mandarin in everyday life. She is an excellent teacher who goes beyond simply teaching vocabulary and grammar. She takes the time to explain the nuances of the language, including when and why certain words are used, how they differ from one another, and how to use them naturally in conversation. Her fluency in English also makes her particularly great at breaking down more complicated concepts and making them easy to understand. Beyond being a fantastic teacher, Winnie is genuinely such a fun and caring person. She went out of her way to check on me when I got sick, and her kindness made me feel so looked after while living abroad. She made learning enjoyable and played a huge part in making my time in Shanghai so special. I would wholeheartedly recommend LTL Shanghai to anyone looking to improve their Mandarin while having an unforgettable cultural experience. I'm so grateful for my time there and hope to return someday!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Caitlin. We're really happy that you had a brilliant time in Shanghai and teacher Winnie was so fun and caring. Hoping to see you again someday, and keep studying hard back home!! LTL Team
My time studying in Kunming so far has been one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. Especially with my great teacher. Everyone at Ltl has made me feel very welcome and I have been able to experience many amazing things.

So glad you've had a great time in Kunming, Josephine :) We loved having you here with us and are happy your experience matched your expectations!! LTL Team
I joined the school program for two weeks. Helen was our teacher, and she is so funny and good at translating local slang. We had five students in that group and all of us loved her. We didn't expect a young teacher could be very professional and patient but she was amazing.

Two weeks just go too quick, Martina :) But we still had a great time! Keep up the great work. Thanks for your lovely words. LTL Team
We joined the Beijing trip this spring, and i really miss the feeling there! Everyday's classes with friendly and funny teacher, chinese local food differed each day, cultural challenges with locals! I also bought a mini mahjong set back home!

Love to hear it, Artion, we miss you too. Come back and let's do it all again :) LTL Team
It was a great trip in Beijing evenif it was not my first time. Teachers were very patient and professional. I enjoyed the class very much. There are much more students from all other countries in LTL, there were also Spanish, German and other countries.


So glad to hear you had a great time in Beijing with us. Come back again soon and thanks for the 5 stars!! LTL Team
The goal of my trip to China, beyond studying the language, was to get to know the small part of the country that I visited. Anya helped me a lot to manage the practical aspects, guided me in choosing places to see, and encouraged me to try new things in Xi'an(as street food f.e). Thank you.

Thanks so much Maurizio :) We're so glad you had a blast with us. Hope to see you again and thanks for the lovely words. LTL Team
I booked a one-week intensive beginner’s course. It was really worth it and I do feel it did push me to improve a lot. My teachers (Sara in the morning and Lilia in the afternoon) were very supportive, made the class interesting and challenging. And this with a lot of humor and charm. The school has as well organized activities which you can join eg roasted duck dinner, and there is always someone to have a chat or ask for help to navigate Beijing.

Love to hear it, Hector :) We equally had a blast teaching you as well. Come back again soon for more Beijing Duck!! LTL Team
Minha experiência estudando mandarim na LTL em Beihai tem sido excelente. Os professores são atenciosos, pacientes e dedicados. As aulas são dinâmicas e proporcionam uma verdadeira imersão na língua e na cultura chinesa. Recomendo a escola para quem deseja aprender mandarim e vivenciar a cultura chinesa de perto.



Muito obrigado por compartilhar a sua experiência! Ficamos felizes em saber que as aulas dinâmicas e a imersão na cultura chinesa em Beihai fizeram tanta diferença para você. Continue com o ótimo trabalho nos estudos de mandarim e esperamos ver você novamente na LTL algum dia! LTL Team
My Mandarin Immersion Journey, Deciding to pack up and spend three months ago immersing myself in Mandarin was a massive milestone. As a guy from the US looking to move past casual apps and textbook phrases into actual fluency, choosing the right destination and school was everything. After weighing my options, I settled on Beijing as my home base and LTL Mandarin School as my academic launching pad. Looking back at my time there from a couple of months removed, I can say without hesitation it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. If you are on the fence about where to study and which school to trust, here is an unfiltered look at why Beijing and LTL hit every single mark. Why Beijing? The Gold Standard for Mandarin. When people debate where to study Chinese in China, cities like Shanghai or Shenzhen often get pitched for their ultra-modern, Westernized vibes. But if your core goal is mastering the language, Beijing is the undisputed birthplace of standard Mandarin (Putonghua). Choosing Beijing meant that every time I stepped out of the classroom—whether ordering street food, chatting with a Didi driver, or navigating a park—I was surrounded by clear, crisp, standard pronunciation. There is no heavy southern dialect or alternate regional slang to muddle your learning curve here. The city speaks the textbook. Immersing yourself in Beijing forces your ear to adapt to authentic, correct Mandarin naturally, shortening your learning timeline dramatically. Location and Commuting. Dawanglu LTL Beijing is strategically situated right in the heart of the city’s Central Business District at Dawanglu metro station ). For a student, this location is an absolute game-changer. The Dawanglu transportation conveniences made my daily routine effortless. The school is just a short, second-long walk from the Dawanglu subway station, which sits on major intersecting lines. Getting across Beijing—whether heading to historic sites like the Forbidden City, meeting friends in Sanlitun, or exploring the hutongs—was seamless and fast. You never have to worry about getting stranded in a remote suburb; you are plugged straight into the pulse of the capital. Price-Friendly and Value Studying abroad can easily break the bank, but Beijing offers a surprisingly price-friendly structure relative to the immense value you receive. When you factor in professional, certified native teachers, small group dynamics (which ensure you actually get speaking time rather than sitting silently in a lecture hall of thirty), also found my Chinese name 李景龙, Chinese dragon represents noble personality and foresights, all-inclusive materials, the ROI is exceptional. Daily life in Beijing also scales to fit your budget—you can find high-end dining or incredible, cheap local noodle shops right outside the Dawanglu complex, making it easy to manage living expenses over a prolonged stay. My fav place is downstairs of skp shopping mall where I can find almost the cuisine all over the world. Staff Interaction and Community What truly sets LTL apart from a standard institutional academy is the human element. From day one, the staff Linda, and Alessandra , the interaction felt less like dealing with administration and more like joining a welcoming community. The teachers are rigorous, highly professional, and genuinely invested in your progress, pushing you just enough to break past your comfort zone while keeping classes fun and engaging. Outside of lessons, the school fosters an inclusive social environment with regular cultural activities, lunches, and events. As a foreigner landing in China, having a bilingual support team that helps you sort out local logistics—from mobile apps to setting up your routine—takes away all the initial friction. Two months at LTL Beijing completely transformed my relationship with the Chinese language. Between the unmatched linguistic purity of Beijing, the central, transit-friendly hub of Dawanglu, and a supportive, cost-effective framework, it provides an ideal ecosystem for any serious learner. If you want a school that challenges you, surrounds you with standard Mandarin, and feels like a community rather than a factory, LTL Beijing is the place to be.


It sounds like Beijing really became home! We're thrilled the Dawanglu location, the standard Mandarin and the small classes all worked so well for you. Linda and Alessandra will love reading this. Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and helpful review for other learners. Keep up the great work studying Mandarin and we hope to see you again some day! LTL Team
I'd highly recommend LTL Chengdu for a Mandarin learning experience. I had three weeks of one-on-one learning at the intermediate level with teacher Guo Xinyue, and she was excellent. I learned a lot, and we also managed to have great conversations aabout society,history, social issues, families and so on, turning these conversations into opportunities to learn more vocabulary. The school is well-run, with a friendly atmosphere, and Chengdu is a very pleasant city, especially in October.

Thanks so much for taking the time and keep up the great work studying Mandarin. Chengdu in October will be waiting if you come back some day! LTL Team
I chose Beijing as my mandarin studying location which was one of the best decisions I made! Not justbecause of the transportation for every day courses and activities. Also, this city is very friendly to all kinds of foreigners no matter how fluently Mandarin you can speak with them or just gestures haha! Great arrangement for my classes where I studied new words, practice oral dialogues, or even chat with teacher to know local life’s…

Getting by with Mandarin or just a few gestures and a smile, that's the Beijing spirit! We're thrilled you chose the city and enjoyed chatting with your teachers about local life. Thanks so much for taking the time and keep up the great work studying Chinese! LTL Team
I chose Beijing as my mandarin studying location which was one of the best decisions I made! Not justbecause of the transportation for every day courses and activities. Also, this city is very friendly to all kinds of foreigners no matter how fluently Mandarin you can speak with them or just gestures haha! Great arrangement for my classes where I studied new words, practice oral dialogues, or even chat with teacher to know local life’s…

Getting by with Mandarin or just a few gestures and a smile, that's the Beijing spirit! We're thrilled you chose the city and enjoyed chatting with your teachers about local life. Thanks so much for taking the time and keep up the great work studying Chinese! LTL Team
总之,这一个半月在北京的学习对我意义非凡。这段经历让我受益匪浅,我的汉语口语进步很大,所以我很高兴能在北京遇到老师,也很高兴能在这里认识你们。我过得很开心,真的很满足。学校和老师们都很棒。衷心感谢大家。总之,这一个半月在北京的学习对我意义非凡。这段经历让我受益匪浅,我的汉语口语进步很大,所以我很高兴能在北京遇到老师,也很高兴能在这里认识你们。我过得很开心,真的很满足。学校和老师们都很棒。衷心感谢大家。

A month and a half in Beijing and a big step forward in your spoken Chinese is what we love to hear!! Our teachers will be so happy to read your kind words. Thanks so much for taking the time and keep up the great work studying Chinese. We hope to see you again some day! LTL Team
Xiatan is our fav teacher. The class is much fun and we not only learn about language but also culture etc. And things about China. We interact and discuss a lot and also learn new vocabulary every day!!!

Thanks so much Rahel, great picture too!! Come back again soon. LTL Team
I had such a wonderful experience at the LTL language school! I spent two weeks learning Mandarin, with group classes in the morning with Summer and private lessons with Alice afterwards. Summer and Alice were both amazing teachers, very kind, patient and encouraging. Summer made the group classes engaging and fun, while Alice always adapted the private lessons perfectly to my level and had a great way of explaining things and making them easy to understand. Both created such a warm and positive atmosphere. I learned so much in only two weeks and genuinely looked forward to class every day. Highly recommend this school to anyone wanting to learn Mandarin!


Looking forward to class every single day after only two weeks is amazing!! We're thrilled to hear that! Summer and Alice will both love reading this, and we'll make sure they see your kind words. Thanks so much for taking the time and keep up the great work studying Mandarin! LTL Team
I spent four weeks at LTL school in Beihai. The school is very flexible according to your needs. They will teach HSK courses, just simple spoken language, or help you improve in the direction you choose. I have been learning mandarin for 3 years and wanted the opportunity to use the language and improve my listening skills. In my time at LTL, I was immersed in Chinese from the day I arrived. My fluency and listening skills improved a lot. I go home with a good understanding of where I need to focus next. I hope to return next year to solidify my further improvement.
Thanks for your kind words, Pat. It was great to have you with us in Beihai :) Hope you keep improving back home! Come back some day. LTL Team
We came to Beijing for two weeks without the programs,And I have improved a lot, especially about practical Chinese on daily topics. A small group really helped us Discuss with other classmates and make friends./;)Love the welcoming lunch very much

It was so much fun, Eva!! It was great having you in Beijing with us. Lunch is always better shared together, we agree!! Come back again :) LTL Team
I participated in a two week program at LTL Chengdu, and I had an amazing time while learning a lot! My instructor Wei was super friendly and dedicated, and I could not have imagined a better teacher. She tailored her instruction specifically to my goals and used real world situations to teach so I could have a more immersive and rich experience. Not only did my Chinese language skills improve, but I also learned a lot about the local culture, food, and lifestyle — things I could never get a chance to experience in a traditional classroom. I highly recommend LTL Chengdu and my teacher Wei!

So happy to hear it, Alex :) You made some great progress in a short amount of time. Keep it up back home and thanks for the kind words. LTL Team
I had a really great experience at this Chinese learning school! The teachers, especially Ann and Jamie, were amazing and genuinely helped me improve my Chinese. They were patient, encouraging and always willing to explain things when I didn’t understand. Their teaching made learning Chinese much more enjoyable, and I became a lot more confident in my speaking and understanding. You can tell that they really care about their students and want everyone to do well. I’m really grateful for all their help and would definitely recommend this school to anyone looking to improve their Chinese!
Thanks for your kind words, Brandon. We're delighted you had a blast studying Chinese with us and we hope you continue to make improvements :) Come back some time soon. LTL Team
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad

Catherine Smith
Go Abroad China Ltd.
AlumniI have always been fascinated by different cultures, and China’s rich history and language intrigued me.
Read Full Interview
Elise Hanks-Witaszek
CAPA The Global Education Network
AlumniSeeing my sister study abroad in college really motivated me to go abroad as well. I knew I wanted to study abroad but I wasn’t sure where. I found ou...
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Jennifer Conner
CAPA The Global Education Network
AlumniLearning Mandarin has been a lifelong goal of mine that I only recently began to seriously work on. I am half Taiwanese, but growing up Mandarin was n...
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Jacob Danzi
CIEE College Study Abroad
AlumniI really love learning languages and about culture in other countries, so I have always had the desire to travel the world. Once I graduate, I would l...
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Deshawn Peterson
(DEAD URL) Mandarin Spring
AlumniI always wanted to travel, not only as a tourist; I wanted the local experience. I felt If I didn't do it now, I would never go.
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Nick Botham
Hutong School
AlumniI was working in the oil industry as a contractor when the price crashed late in 2014. After a long project in the Arctic, the next contract was cance...
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Alana Perez
[SUSPENDED] Alliance for Global Education
AlumniI decided to go for an international program, because I knew it was the only program that would allow me to study a language outside of the classroom.
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Matt Colbert
IES Abroad
AlumniI have always been interested in the word beyond my immediate grasp. To see what other cultures and lifestyles there were elsewhere, to experience thi...
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Caroline Sterling
IES Abroad
AlumniThe educational experience of problem solving in an unfamiliar culture, adapting to new standards, and interacting with a foreign civilization fulfill...
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Ling Le
TEAN by WorldStrides
AlumniI applied for an international program because I wanted a better understanding of the world for what it truly is, and not just what everyone said it w...
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Francesca Dorsainville
TEAN by WorldStrides
AlumniApart from a childhood dream of climbing the Great Wall, I wanted to experience living in a culture that was completely different from what I am famil...
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Brita Preus
IES Abroad
AlumniAs a management major, I thought that learning about Chinese business and culture would be very relevant to my major and useful for my future. I didn’...
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Cheryl Wassenaar
Boston University Study Abroad
AlumniClasses started at 9 a.m. If the weather was nice, I would walk through the campus of Fudan University; if the humidity was up or the heat was oppress...
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Gabrielle Dawkins
WorldStrides
AlumniAt the time my university had opportunities to go to countries like Brazil and Ghana. Unfortunately, China was not on that list. One of my friends ref...
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Aram Mashigian
WorldStrides
AlumniI chose ISA over other study abroad programs because of their course offerings, program length, and last but not least: their affordability.
Read Full InterviewExplore the destinations and program types travelers search for most
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